Among the greatest threats to humans and wild and domesticated animals in our age of environmental destruction are viral infections and immune disorders and their consequences such as cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, and liver damage. Under the best of conditions, our immune systems are completely capable of preventing viral infection, ridding the body of viruses once our cells become infected, or arriving at a symbiotic balance in which the virus lives in our bodies but does little or no harm.
However, in some cases, as discussed in part 1, our immune systems are unable to prevent, eradicate, or keep the virus under control. In this scenario, the virus takes over and kills us, as in rampant cytomegalovirus infection; or it gets the upper hand and makes us gradually sicker and sicker, as in chronic hepatitis C or HIV infections. In the latter cases, we do not die as a direct cause of the virus but of its longterm effects on other organs and systems.
If you have an active, chronic, or recurrent viral infection that your immune system is unable to control, you need to reduce the viral burden on your system with antiviral medicines. The material in this chapter provides information on proven antiviral alternatives and their use to accomplish that goal.
Antiviral medications are substances that destroy viruses or prevent their replication. As I described in part 1, pharmaceutical antiviral drugs are relatively new on the clinical front. This is because, in the past, bacterial infections were a larger threat to infants and young children, from infections in mothers after delivery, after surgery, and from wounds caused by war injuries. In all of these cases, bacterial infections often lead to death. Therefore, the belief among medical scientists of the time was that antibiotics treat bacterial infections and viral infections are best prevented with vaccines.
Viruses were once thought to be on their way out of human life, and vaccination was for a time seen as the universal answer to viral infections. Little attention was paid to researching antiviral drugs until the advent of AIDS in the 1980s. We know now in hindsight that this was the wrong strategy, or at least an insufficient approach.
Though a number of antiviral drugs are now available, most are not effective, have significant side effects, and rapidly cause antiviral resistance. Another problem with powerful antiviral drugs is collateral damage. Recall that viruses reside within the cells; attempting to kill a virus directly also destroys some of our own cells. Fortunately, nature has provided us with a considerable array of antiviral plants and other natural substances that can deal with the viruses without destroying our cells.
Since plants are rooted in the soil and cannot move, they have developed powerful biochemical arsenals to defend themselves against viruses, fungi, bacteria, and insects. Natural antiviral medications may be used to complement other therapies, or in many cases they can make up the first line of therapy, reserving drugs for an as-needed basis only. The natural antiviral alternatives discussed in this chapter have all shown antiviral activity in the research lab and in clinical use. Doctors have successfully used many of them for decades, or longer, and several were discovered from ethnobotanical studies of indigenous healing practices.
Once you have established the foundational plan outlined in steps 1 through 4, have addressed inflammation (step 5), and are working with immune modulators (step 6), the next step is to directly target viral infection in your body. The medications involved may be taken short-term for active, chronic infections (a herpes outbreak) or for acute viral infections (a cold or flu). Some may be used long-term for chronic viral conditions, such as HCV. Study the information on each medication carefully before use; if you have questions, consult a physician who has knowledge of the use of natural antiviral alternatives.
Natural antiviral alternatives are found in many plants, seaweeds, mushrooms, mother's milk, and in plant components such as alkaloids, tannins, essential oils, sesquiterpenes, and limonene. Due to side effects and viral resistance of pharmaceutical antivirals, pharmaceutical researchers have investigated hundreds of natural substances for potential antiviral activity. Nature has not disappointed them, and many effective antiviral alternatives are available.
For the purpose of this book, I have categorized them into herbal antiviral medicines, homeopathic antiviral remedies, and antiviral nutraceuticals (pharmacological concentrates and extracts from natural products). As you read about these medications you will find that many have been mentioned in other chapters. This is because natural products contain complex compounds that may have a wide array of uses, for example: echinacea stimulates the immune system, has antiviral properties, and has antibacterial actions.
Herbs make up the majority of antiviral alternatives. They include a wide range of different plant families and come from locations around the world. Some of the most interesting to me are those from the upper Amazon in South America, an area that we have only just explored around the fringes and where I conduct annual field research. Chinese antiviral herbs, another area that I specialize in, are among the most powerful and are discussed in the next chapter.
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum): Boneset is a member of the Compositae family, which contains a number of commonly used herbal plant remedies including echinacea. It contains the sesquiterpene lactones euperfolin, euperfolitin, and eufoliatin; polysaccharides, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, essential oils, many flavonoids including rutin and quercetin, and plant sterols. Research has shown it to stimulate white blood cells and increase phagocytosis four times better than echinacea.
The flowering plant is collected in the late summer or fall, dried, cut, and then usually prepared into an alcohol tincture, though the dried herb can also be made into a tea. It was once used to treat fever resulting from malaria, as well as dengue, common cold, or influenza viruses. It is very bitter, and as a tea can cause nausea or vomiting. Boneset should not be used during pregnancy. Due to the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can cause liver toxicity, it also should not be used if you have liver disease. There are no known drug interactions with boneset.
For the reasons described above, boneset is used short-term for no more than 5–7 days to treat acute viral infections like the common cold and respiratory tract infections caused by influenza. Take 20–30 drops (⅓ teaspoon) of the tincture every few hours until symptoms subside. To make a tea: steep 1 ounce (25 g) of the dried herb in 1 quart of boiled water for 10–15 minutes; drink 1 cup of hot herb tea three to four times per day.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida): Echinacea has become the best-selling herbal medication in recent years, despite a considerable amount of controversy over how it works. It contains caffeic acid derivatives, polysaccharides including arabinogalactan, and the lipophilic components polyacetylenes, and alkylamides. It is a low-growing wildflower native to the American West and, like boneset, it is a member of the Compositae family.
Echinacea is extremely popular in Europe, especially Germany and Switzerland, where it is commercially grown. It is prepared as a tincture, a dry or liquid extract, and is also available in injectable forms. The most-researched forms are oral liquid extract preparations made from the fresh plant; however, dry extracts are also available. Alcohol tinctures are also useful, but more tincture has to be taken to achieve a dose equivalent to that of a concentrate. Injectables are very effective, but have limited availability in the United States. Teas are not very effective, as most of the active ingredients in echinacea are alcoholsoluble and therefore do not readily dissolve in water.
Though there is no doubt in the scientific community that echinacea works, there is still controversy about how it works and whether echinacea is primarily an immune stimulant or an antimicrobial. For viral infections, it would seem that it makes little difference, since an ideal antiviral agent would have both properties. However, as you have learned from earlier chapters, the wrong type of stimulation can lead to undesirable pro-inflammatory conditions. The final word is not yet out on echinacea, but I will attempt to explain some of the issues this controversial herb has created and how it is best used.
There have been at least fifteen randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (the “gold standard” of medical research) testing echinacea's effectiveness for viral upper-respiratory tract infections. An excellent review article of these trials was written by Bruce Barrett, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School in Madison, Wisconsin, and nationally known researcher in alternative medicine. He reported that, based on the studies, echinacea is useful in shortening the duration of common respiratory tract infections, including the common cold, but not in preventing colds. Dr. Barrett points out that though echinacea is effective, it is not extremely effective (Barrett 2000). This has also been my clinical experience.
As an immune stimulant, echinacea is also still not well understood, but studies indicate that it increases phagocytosis by 20–30 percent. Though it has a high degree of safety, controversy also surrounds contraindications for the use of echinacea. The German Commission E,1 the world's leading authority on herbal medicines, states that due to its immune stimulatory mechanisms, echinacea should not be used in progressive conditions like autoimmune diseases and chronic viruses.
In two papers published in Alternative Medicine Review, Kerry Bone, N.D., reviews all the existing literature and clinical studies, as well as traditional uses, and concludes that: “Limitations on the use of echinacea have resulted from preconceived and somewhat simplistic concepts of echinacea's influence on the immune system” (Bone 1997). He concludes that echinacea is safe for long-term use and suggests an extensive list of conditions it can be used for. In addition, echinacea has recently been approved for use during pregnancy based on a Canadian research study involving 412 women (Gallo 2000).
The German combination remedy Esberitox N, containing echinacea, thuja (Thujae occidentalis) and wild indigo root (Baptista tinctoria), has shown effectiveness in the treatment of bacterial and viral upper respiratory tract infections. It is manufactured by Schaper & Brümmer and imported into the United States by Enzymatic Therapy, and is available in drops or tablets. Take three tablets, or 10–20 drops, three times daily for ten days.
Another German product, Pascotox Forte-injectopas is a prescription injectable medication containing 500 mg of Echinacea pallida extract. This remedy is not available in the United States; however, if you travel to Europe you can obtain it for personal use. I highly recommend this medication for those with recurrent colds and flu and as a complement to other treatments for acute or chronic infections. The dosage is 1 ampoule (2ml) injected intramuscularly every other day for acute conditions and once a week for chronic cases.
Like boneset, echinacea is best used in the short term for minor respiratory tract infections caused by viruses and bacteria. Though I have not seen any side effects in either progressive illnesses like multiple sclerosis or chronic viruses, I generally recommend taking echinacea for three to five days only, and not as a long-term treatment or as prevention. Take 3–4 ml (about 1 teaspoon) of the tincture or 300 mg of the dry extract three to four times daily.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): Elderberry is another useful remedy for minor upper respiratory tract viruses. It has a long history of use in Europe and North America, and has been studied for effectiveness against influenza type A and B viruses, including the Beijing, Shandong, and Singapore flu strains. It contains a newly discovered substance (novel type 2 ribosome-inactivating protein) that appears to have an inhibiting effect on certain viruses.
For home use, the flowers are used as a tea for the treatment of the symptoms of the flu by steeping 3–5 g per 1 cup of boiled water for 10–15 minutes. It is drunk warm with honey three times daily. The tincture is also available, taken at a dosage of ½ to 1 teaspoon in water three to four times per day during an acute respiratory infection.
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana): Like the three herbal medicines discussed above, witch hazel is a remedy we learned from the Native Americans. It is mostly known as a mild alcohol distillate for insect bites and swelling. However, it is also an effective, though mild, antiviral and has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects in the treatment of herpes simplex virus. The bark and leaves contain tannins and volatile oils that have astringent properties. Small amounts of the tincture or ointment may be applied to herpes lesions. Do not drink witch hazel.
Lomatium (Lomatium dissectum): This herb received considerable attention as an antiviral in the mid-1980s, but has since fallen out of favor except among the most avid herbalists. It grows in the Western United States and is a member of the carrot family (Umbelliferae), and during the spring when the shoots are tender, it can be eaten. The root is the medicinal part and contains tetronic acids, luteolin, and resins.
It has not been studied to any degree. However, one Canadian team screened over one hundred plants for antiviral activity and found that lomatium completely inhibited the cytopathic effects of rotavirus (common diarrhea-causing viruses). Lomatium is used as a tincture: 1–3 ml taken three times daily. The resin fraction can cause a whole-body rash even in moderate amounts, so if you use this herb, discontinue it immediately if you feel any itching or notice a rash.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): Lemon balm is a member of the mint family (Labiatae) and contains tannins, volatile oils, flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, and other compounds. It has been studied for its antiviral properties since the 1960s and is used as a topical ointment for herpes virus blisters on the lips. The German commercial preparation, Herpilyn contains a 70:1 concentration of lemon balm extract with 1 percent allantoin from the comfrey plant. It is safe to use long-term and is applied to the lips two to four times daily.
Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus niruri, P. amarus, P. urinaria): Phyllanthus is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family and is found in tropical South America and Asia. It is one of the most effective herbal antivirals. The Indian variety, Phyllanthus niruri, used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years, has been extensively studied for the treatment of hepatitis B. Other varieties (Phyllanthus myrtifolius and P. urinaria) have also been studied and found to have antiviral effects against Epstein-Barr and other viruses.
The compounds in phyllanthus include tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, phenols, and terpenes. In addition to antiviral activity, they have a considerable liver-protective function, giving this herb great therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular (liver) cancer. The majority of patients with chronic hepatitis B show improvement in their blood tests within one month of treatment. Though studies are just beginning for the use of phyllanthus in chronic HCV, many clinicians (including myself) have used this herb for several years to help successfully manage liver inflammation in HCV patients.
There are no known contraindications, drug interactions, or harmful effects. Phyllanthus is taken as a powdered extract in dosages ranging from 900 to 2,500 mg daily for three months or longer. In my practice, when using phyllanthus in chronic hepatitis, I generally alternate it every three months with the Chinese herbal formula Minor Bupleurum Decoction, or xiao chai hu tang (sho-saiko-to: discussed in the next chapter). Chanca piedra, an Amazonian variety of Phyllanthus niruri, is traditionally used to treat kidney stones but may also have antiviral activity. It is worth trying for chronic hepatitis.
Sangre de drago (Croton lechleri): Sangre de drago, meaning “dragon's blood” in Spanish, is also a member of the Euphorbiaceae family (like phyllanthus) and grows along the slopes of the Andes into the Amazonian rainforests of Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador. Its name is derived from the red latex extracted from the tree. The resin and bark are used medicinally and contain proanthocyanidins, flavonoids, phenols, lignans, and plant sterols.
Sangre de drago is used as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-fungal, and antiviral against herpes and upper respiratory tract viruses. It is also used for the treatment of diarrhea, and for this purpose has been developed into a patented standardized extract by Shaman Pharmaceuticals of San Francisco, and manufactured as Normal Stool Formula (NSF). The active ingredient in NSF is an oligomeric proan-thocyanidin compound called SP-303. Research studies show that this medication successfully treats HIV-associated diarrhea (Carlson 2000). NSF comes in 350 mg tablets; the recommended dosage for chronic diarrhea is one tablet, two to four times daily.
Though many Amazonian herbs, including sangre de drago, have been studied for their active constituents and though the therapeutic potential is great, there are few scientific publications on their use and safety. However, in my clinical experience, it is a safe and useful herb, although it has a bitter taste.
Sangre de drago can be taken as a tincture (20–30 drops, three times daily) or as a powdered extract (½ teaspoon dissolved in water, taken one to three times daily). Liquid extracts and tinctures can be obtained from Rainforest Bio-Energetics. Powdered extracts have limited availability in the United States.
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): St. John's wort is best known as a natural antidepressant and is widely used for that purpose. However, it also has antiviral properties, and was at one time investigated for use in HIV. Though a common flowering herb, its chemical nature is very complex, and contains hypericin, hyperforin, flavonoids, and xanthones. Some doctors like the combination of an antidepressant with an antiviral and recommend it for patients with chronic viral conditions who also have depression or whose moods are low due to their illness.
Though there is no scientific or clinical evidence to support this rationale, St. John's wort is a safe herb with few side effects. If you have a chronic viral condition and depression, try it for four to six weeks, which is how long it typically takes to show benefits.
German studies indicate that 2.4 percent of patients develop adverse effects within four weeks of using of St. John's wort, which include stomach upset, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and restlessness. Sensitivity to sunlight is also a reported reaction to this herb. Drug interactions to one of the active components, hypericin, have been reported. If you are taking other antidepressants, anticoagulants, and / or digoxin for your heart, do not use St. John's wort while you are on these drugs. The standard dosage is 300 mg of the extract, taken three times daily.
In the homeopathic materia medica, dozens of remedies are listed for use in viral conditions, and since classical homeopathic prescribing focuses on the constitution of the patient and not the pathology of the disease, the repertory of possible remedies is immense. In this next section, I will mention only those remedies that I have clinical experience with and whose use is supported by the scientific literature. If you have an interest in pursuing this approach further, consult with a physician skilled in homeopathy who has experience in treating viral diseases.
The remedies listed below are composite medications containing several homeopathic substances. They are described as homotoxico-logics and are all manufactured by the German companies Heel Biotherapeutics and Pasco. I routinely use all of these medications as supportive therapy in acute and chronic viral conditions, especially for influenza.
Echinacea compositum S: This is a Heel product, packaged in oral or injectable vials. It contains Echinacea angustifolia D3, Aconitum D3, Sanguinaria D4, and several other homeopathic substances. It is very useful for influenza and minor bacterial infections. The dosage is one oral vial three times daily for acute conditions, and one vial daily for ten days for chronic conditions. Injectables need to be administered by your doctor and are generally given by intramuscular injection three times per week.
Engystol N: This is another Heel product, specific for influenza and acute or chronic viral diseases. It contains Vincetoxicum (swallow wort) and homeopathic sulfur in graduated potencies. In one study, a total of 1479 cases were treated with Engystol by 154 physicians from three European countries. The study reported that 85–90 percent of patients with flu symptoms reported improvement within one week of treatment; the treatment was only completely unsuccessful in 4 percent of cases.
Engystol is very useful as supportive therapy in all viral conditions and taken alone for symptoms of the flu or common cold. The dosage is one tablet dissolved in the mouth three times daily, or more frequently in acute infections; do not take with food. It also comes in an injectable form that is available only by prescription from your doctor. Here, one ampoule is administered intramuscularly three times weekly for one week.
Gripp-Heel: Also from Heel Biotherapeutics, this contains Aconitum D4 120 mg, Bryonia D4, Lachesis D12, Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset) D3, and Phosphorus D5. It is used alone or with other natural medications for the treatment of influenza. The dosage is one tablet (allowed to dissolve in the mouth) three to five times daily for a course of seven days. In acute stages, take one tablet every 15 minutes.
Pascotox: This is a remedy similar in composition to Heel's Echinacea compositum and Esberitox N, with the exception that it contains a concentrated dry extract of Echinacea pallida root combined with homeopathics. Pascotox is also used for symptoms of the flu. It comes in tablets and drops and the dosage is 4–6 tablets or 40 drops every hour for acute conditions, or 2 tablets / 20 drops, three times a day for chronic cases. It is also manufactured as an injectable medication but is not available in this form in the United States.
Additional Homeopathic Influenza Remedies: A modern homeopathic remedy for flu, and available over the counter in most health stores, is Oscillococcinum (Ana barbariae). It is prepared from duck livers by the French homeopathic company Boiron. The dosage is three pellets dissolved in the mouth three times daily (not taken with food) at the first signs of flu symptoms.
Eupatorium, prepared from boneset, described above, is used to treat chills and fever accompanied by deep aching pain. Gelsemium is used when flu is accompanied by fatigue and body aches that comes on gradually. Aconitum is used to treat flu symptoms that come on suddenly and intensely.
Antiviral nutraceuticals are substances extracted from naturally occurring products prepared pharmacologically as concentrates. They are standardized to guarantee that each unit dose has a specified amount of the active ingredient. The use of these medications is also supported by scientific research. Though there are more known herbal antivirals, the greatest therapeutic potential lies in these new nutraceutical agents.
Olive Leaf Extract: Extracts from the leaves of the common Mediterranean olive tree (Olea europaea) have become the leading natural antiviral available. Though researched since the 1960s by leading pharmaceutical companies, the nutraceutical version was first available in the United States in 1995.
Many physicians practicing natural medicine use olive leaf extract for a wide range of viral illness ranging from respiratory tract infections and chronic hepatitis, to herpes zoster. Besides its potent antimicrobial activity against viruses, bacteria, and fungal organisms, olive leaf is an antioxidant, has immune-stimulating properties, and creates positive effects on the cardiovascular system.
Unfortunately, like many commercial natural products, it is marketed heavily to the public without substantial proof of the effectiveness of different products, making it difficult to judge which of these is the most effective.
Of the more than ninety-eight known compounds found in olive leaf, oleuropein (the phenolic glycoside compound elenoic acid) is considered to be the biological active component against viruses. A synthetic derivative of the calcium salt of elenoic acid, calcium elenolate (originally researched by Upjohn and abandoned as an antiviral in the mid-1970s), was later independently developed by East Park Research. It is thought to have broad-spectrum activity against a number of viruses and bacteria.
In my clinical practice, I use the standardized extract containing 17–23 percent oleuropein (85–115 mg per 500 mg capsule) for acute respiratory tract infections, as an antiviral therapy for hepatitis and other chronic viral infections, and to treat bacterial co-infections in patients with chronic viral diseases.
It is a safe medication with no known contraindications or side effects; however, due to its potent antimicrobial activity, you may experience a Herxheimer reaction, or die-off effect. Combining olive leaf with drainage remedies, taking vitamin C to bowel tolerance, and supporting your system with other antioxidants will minimize this effect if it occurs.
Plant Tannins: Plant tannins are naturally occurring, water-soluble polyphenols and are found only in plants. Also collectively referred to as tannic acid, tannins are yellowish-white to brown in color and are found in many common foods and beverages consumed by humans. These include grapes, legumes, red wine, tea, coffee, and chocolate, as well as commonly used herbs like black cohosh, red raspberry, ginkgo, and chamomile.
Though people have used tannins in foods and drinks (we seem to find the tannic taste pleasing) since the time of our ancestors, the scientific study of tannins as nutraceutical medicines is very new. Researchers at the University of Okayama in Japan have investigated tannins and suggest that they are a new class of bioactive substances worth serious study.
Tannins have powerful antioxidant properties and are toxic to a wide range of microorganisms, including yeast, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. They have been studied for activity against HIV-1, herpes virus, and other viruses. Though there is great potential for tannins as antiviral medicines, few have been developed for clinical use. This may be due to their ability to impair carbohydrate and protein digestibility, causing reduced nutrition, and they have other potential side effects as well, including gastrointestinal irritation.
Tannins can trigger migraines in susceptible individuals, and concentrated herbal tannins should not be used over the long term. My suggestion is to confine their use to four weeks or less per course of treatment. You may repeat courses of treatment after a break of one month, but do not repeat more than three courses without consulting a knowledgeable physician.
The tannin product I use in my practice is Viracin, a combination of herbal tannins and zinc developed by Scientific Consulting Services. This product is primarily used for the treatment of gastrointestinal viruses and may be combined with natural antifungal or anti-bacterial substances to treat Candida and other pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. The standard dosage is one capsule, two times daily, not to be taken with food or before meals.
Monolaurin: Monolaurin is a medium chain saturated fatty-acid compound (from monoglycerides of lauric acid) naturally occurring in mother's milk and commercially prepared from coconut oil. It is effective against lipid-coated viruses, including HIV, CMV, HSV-1, and influenza virus; it is also active against a wide range of opportunistic fungal and bacterial infections. Lauric acid has been used as a food preservative since 1964, though only recently has it been studied for its use as an antiviral medication in humans. Lauricidin, available from Ecological Formulas, contains 300 mg of monolaurin and is taken in dosages ranging from 1,800–3,600 mg daily. It is considered entirely safe for long term consumption.
RC-183: A new class of antiviral compounds called RC-183 discovered by researchers at the University of Wisconsin in 1999 has shown effectiveness against influenza A virus, chickenpox, and herpes (Piraino 1999). The active ubiquitin-containing component, RC-183, is found in the gypsy mushroom (Rozites caperata) and blocks viral replication. It is being tested by pharmaceutical companies for the treatment of viral infections and is not available to the consumer. However, you may look for other antiviral mushroom products from Fungi Perfecti.
Since prescribing natural medicines is matched to a composite of the individual patient's symptoms, their immune strengths and weaknesses, as well as the pathological condition, there is no specific protocol that I can outline to make this section easier for you to understand. However, there are a number of guiding therapeutic principles that experienced naturopathic clinicians generally follow. These are:
Natural medicines, including antiviral and antibiotic alternatives, are not as powerful as pharmaceutical drugs. That is not to say that they are ineffective, which they certainly are not, because for chronic infections they may be our first choice for therapy. However, they tend to work more slowly and results come gradually.
On the other hand, they do not cause disruption of other biological systems in your body and they tend to enhance life processes, resulting in deeper healing and more complete recovery. They also tend to work synergistically with other natural remedies, along with diet and nutritional supplements. The art, of course, is knowing how to combine them effectively; that discussion is beyond the purpose and scope of this book.
You also have to take sufficient amounts of natural antivirals frequently at regular intervals during the day to achieve effectiveness. For acute viral infections, use herbal antivirals taken in high dosages for a few days to a few weeks. For chronic viruses, take herbal combinations in moderate dosages over several months' duration. Refer to the tables in this chapter for recommendations on how and when to use natural antiviral alternatives (see table 16).
Nutraceutical Antibiotic Alternatives: In chronic viral disease and immune deficiency conditions, it is rare that one would only have a virus and no other microbial infections. Usually bacterial, fungal, parasitical, and protozoal co-infections occur at the same time or appear cyclically during the course of the viral illness. Managing bacterial and other co-infections with natural antibiotic alternatives is essential in successfully treating viral illnesses. While this book is not intended to cover herbal antimicrobial agents in any detail, it is important to mention a few of the best of them.
Berberine: This is a naturally occurring, yellow-colored bitter alkaloid found in many important medicinal plants like goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), the Chinese herb coptis / huang lian (Coptidis chinensis), and Oregon grape root (Berberis aquifolium). It is prepared as a concentrated standardized extract for medicinal purposes, and is effective against both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
I use it for gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections typically in dosages ranging from 200–400 mg, two to four times daily. It is generally considered safe for short-term use, but should not be used during pregnancy, by children, or if it causes any gastrointestinal discomfort.
Allicin: This is the antimicrobial active component of garlic (Allium sativa) and is effective against bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and some viruses. I use it in concentrated form (20 mg of allicin per capsule) for upper respiratory tract infections like sinusitis and bronchial infections, and for deep fungal infections. It is safe to take, even over a long period of time. However, eventually you will exude the typical garlic odor, and for some people it causes mild nausea and abdominal gas. A typical dosage is two capsules, two to three times daily with food.
Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE): Also known as citrus seed extract, it is processed from the seeds of Citrus paradisi. Though all of the chemical components of this natural antibiotic are not yet known, researchers have isolated phenolic compounds that are active against a wide variety of fungi, bacteria, and also some viruses. It has been studied by the world-famous Pasteur Institute in Paris and is endorsed as an antiseptic by WHO (World Health Organization); it is used as a hospital disinfectant against antibiotic-resistant germs and as a veterinary medicine.
It is commercially available in liquid concentrate or as a dry extract. The dosage for the liquid is from two to five (and up to 15) drops in 6–8 ounces of water one to three times daily. I use the dry extract in my practice, recommending 50–250 mg, three times daily to treat an active respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection. GSE is generally safe, but the liquid can cause skin and mucous membrane irritation, so it should always be diluted in water or juice.
Herbal Antibiotic Alternatives: Fresh garlic or garlic capsules can be used for nearly any type of bacterial infection. The down side is the strong odor and the difficulty in eating enough of the cloves without causing stomach cramps. I prefer the concentrated allicin mentioned earlier.
Goldenseal is a common antimicrobial herb, but due to possible side effects that include abdominal cramping, it should only be used for one to two weeks at a time. It is also contraindicated in pregnancy or while nursing. Goldenseal is frequently combined with echinacea for upper respiratory tract infections. I do not use it much in practice, preferring the concentrated berberine extract, because of goldenseal's extreme bitterness.
Sage tea is an effective natural antibiotic alternative for throat and respiratory tract infections. Steep 2 tea-spoons of the powdered leaf in 1 cup of hot water for 10 minutes and drink warm. You can use it as a gargle for sore throat.
Usnea, a common gray-green lichen that grows on the bark of trees worldwide, has been shown to be effective against gram-positive bacteria and is useful in treating pneumonia and other difficult-to-eradicate respiratory tract infections. Use it in tincture form, 1 tea-spoon 4–6 times daily. Since it can cause mucous membrane irritation, always dilute it in water before drinking.
